Maison de Morgana’s Morgana McNelis debuts BC Armor Collection.
Maison de Morgana’s Morgana McNelis debuts BC Armor Collection.
Written by: Meghan McDermott, Director of Communications
A woman’s style is her personal statement. A woman’s jewelry is an exclamation point, if you will, to that outward statement. Telling the world in an instant who she is and where she is headed.
This week, Morgana McNelis of the LA-based Maison de Morgana is releasing her new collection, BC Armor, allowing women across the country to make a patriotic statement of support and gratitude for our nation’s brave defenders.
Morgana has hand crafted a line of necklaces and bracelets, available in brass, sterling silver and white bronze, showcasing one of our most patriotic symbols, the STAR. The collection is an edge in design execution along with a symbol of appreciation that becomes an almost instant conversation starter.
To show love and support for those who serve, proceeds from the BC Armor Collection will be put toward the mission of the Boot Campaign—to cultivate awareness, promote patriotism and provide assistance to military personnel, past and present, and their families.
Morgana combined her longstanding appreciation for jewelry, Georgia roots, fashion industry experience, and training in jewelry design and craftsmanship, to realize her dream of opening her own jewelry line. In 2012, Maison de Morgana opened its doors. The reaction was overwhelming!
Maison de Morgana quickly caught the attention of Hollywood and has been featured on FX’s Sons of Anarchy, and in publications such as British GQ Magazine, Accessories Magazine, Red Book, and US Weekly. Today, Morgana’s designs can be found in boutiques and major department stores in Los Angeles, Japan and now the Boot Campaign Online Store!
Focusing on what’s known as “Bridge Jewelry”, Morgana has been able to create beyond her own expectations with mixtures of precious stones and sterling silver, white bronze and brass. Her pieces could be described as embodying a mystery of fine elegance mixed with an explosive personality.
It is an absolute THRILL to have Morgana design the new BC Armor Collection. We hope that you will make your personal statement of gratitude and let your own star shine brightly with BC Armor.
Are you ready to rock your inner fashionista with BC Armor? Shop BC Armor now on http://BootCampaign.com/STORE Be sure to post photos on Instagram and Twitter using the hash tags #BCARMOR #BCGEAR and #BOOTCAMPAIGN.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER….
Growing up in Georgia, the cost of freedom was not lost on Morgana. Her late grandfather served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII, then later as border control in Arizona. She personally understood the bravery and danger it took of letting go, of risking it all, in order to protect and serve America.
“My dream has always been to give back through charity.” — Morgana
This was the start of my very first conversation with Morgana… that and me digging for all her beauty secrets. Just look at her photos! The woman is gorgeous! (Note to self: lemon ginger water before all photo shoots and events).
I’ve spent months wearing some of the sample pieces from the BC Armor Collection that Morgana was creating for the Boot Campaign. Every time I put on one of the BC Armor necklaces, not only did I receive compliments, but I was also left with questions about the woman behind the design… primarily why she was compelled to design a line that would support our military.
Morgana grew up in the South surrounded by jewelry lovers. She tells me that her grandmother, and in fact all of the women in her life, were drawn to jewelry… especially statement pieces that provided the extra ‘pop’ to any outfit. Morgana entered the fashion industry as a model, learning what pieces got the eye of designers and photographers. She eventually enrolled in classes that would teach her to become a goldsmith and how to create leather accessories. She was drawn to fine jewelry, but came to appreciate the creative freedom of “bridge jewelry”. Bridge jewelry combines precious stones and metals such as brass, bronze and sterling silver to create jewelry pieces of all sizes and price ranges. After years more of applying her craftsmanship, and learning the business side of the industry, Morgana opened her own company – Maison de Morgana—based in Los Angeles.
From the initial design sketch to personally hand checking every piece that is made, Morgana is enthralled in the process. “Quality pieces last,” she tells me. I think back to my own piece of “Morgana” jewelry, a delicate brass necklace lined with small stars that has held up through countless Boot Campaign events and travels, still in perfect condition. I’ve literally been wearing my multi-star necklace daily and layering it with other pieces. It’s so versatile!
When asked why she chose the “Star” motif for the BC Armor line that she created for the Boot Campaign, she tells me it’s partly about “wishing upon a star,” but it’s also a lot more than that. The Star is about “hope, the future, forging a new path. It’s a symbol of our country.” There’s a small pause as she tells me, “it’s a show of my support for everyone who serves.”
She tells me how she hopes her grandfather is looking down and feeling proud of her. “I feel such respect for what they do to serve and go through. It’s only fair that we as citizen help fill in the gap.” You know what, Morgana? I couldn’t agree more!
To purchase the BC Armor Collection visit: http://bootcampaign.com/store
To find out more about Maison De Morgana visit: http://maisondemorgana.com
